Man Seeking Woman: Romance is Absurd

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I want to feature Man Seeking Woman today. This absurd romantic sitcom makes my husband and I laugh hysterically regularly. It is strange and beautiful and if Jersey Devil Press turned itself into a rom-com this would probably be it.

I do have some tiny objections to the way it handles gender sometimes…particularly in the season two finale. But the show’s heart is in the right strange and wonderful place.

This season (season three) Josh finally has a real long term girlfriend. All of his insecurities come up in episode five, “Shrimp.”

I see unsuccessful people.

I have to admit I legitimately worry about running into this kid someday and being seen. (“That woman thinks she’s a writer, but McSweeney’s disagrees.”)

Josh freaks out, generally embarrasses his girlfriend, Lucy, and tries to make it up to her by making a painting for her. He tries to paint fruit but instead his painting looks like this:

While Josh is showing his shameful attempts at art, Lucy is wearing a badass sweater: